Harry Potter and the War of the Wands

Chapter 2 - One More Time in Privet Drive

It was still only two o'clock in the morning, and the house was completely silent apart from the occasional grunts and groans of Vernon Dursley snoring. Harry groped out into the darkness to find his glasses, which were on the nightstand beside his bed; the lightning shaped scar on his forehead was burning again. This was becoming a regular occurrence now that term was over, and Voldemort's campaign of terror had stepped up another notch. Evidently the passing away of Hogwarts Headmaster had given the Death Eaters a new lease of life, and Voldemort didn't appear to be as concerned as before of shielding his emotions from Harry.

Hardly a day passed now when there wasn't a mention in the Daily Prophet of a missing person, or the death of a well known Muggle supporter, or in the previous days case, a Giant attack on Beauxbatons Academy that had been repelled by a crack team of French Aurors and a particularly enraged Madame Maxime, the part giant Headmistress of the school.

"Well done, Snape," muttered Harry spitefully to himself. "His favourite again and I hope it was worth the betrayal!" Ever since the night on the tower when Snape had finally revealed his treachery to Harry, he had sworn vengeance. To himself, Harry had made a silent oath to focus his determination and, as Snape had repeatedly taunted him, to close his mind. He knew this was the only way he was going to be able to bring Snape to justice and exact some retribution in Dumbledore's memory.

Glancing over at his alarm clock it dawned on Harry that he had already turned seventeen years old without realising it. The past year or two had shown a definite and noticeable change in Harry's appearance. Gone now was the short, skinny, little boy he had been during his first few years at Hogwarts. His height was now catching on that of his best friend Ron Weasley, who was one of the tallest boys in school, and Harry's frame was now lithe and muscular. His intense Quidditch training had obviously paid off. He climbed out of bed and paced the room for a few minutes with a mantra running through his head: 'the locket...the cup...the snake...something of Gryffindor's or Ravenclaw's...' The Horcruxes were always in his thoughts. Turning and facing himself in the mirror, Harry wasn't surprised to see his raven black hair still sticking out in every direction. "Some things never change huh!" he thought. Deciding he better get some sleep, he slipped back into bed and took his glasses off once more.

****

BANG! BANG!

Harry jumped up out of bed, startled out of sleep. He was becoming an ever lighter sleeper lately. The slightest sound seemed to cause him to awake, almost ready for battle. His Aunt Petunia, polite as ever, was banging on his bedroom door to get him to wake up. "Okay. I'm awake!" Harry barked. He glanced at the alarm clock and noticed he'd slept late into the afternoon.

"Well, hurry up then. You know we're leaving today!" her shrill voice rang out as she stormed away back downstairs.

Opening his clothes drawers, Harry idly pulled on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Just as he was about to head downstairs, a tap at the window alerted Harry to the company of his faithful snowy owl Hedwig who had been perched there, awaiting her masters rising. "Hey, Hedwig. Where have you been?" asked Harry as he opened the window to allow her to hop into his room. Hedwig had been gone for a couple of days now and had returned laden with packages.

"You've been busy, girl, haven't you?" Harry smiled as he checked the writing on the packages. Apparently Hedwig had been not only to the Weasleys, but also to Hermione, Hagrid and even Remus Lupin. Reaching down and picking up Ron's gift from the bed, he tore open the package. Inside was a black Dragonhide belt with a Gryffindor crest buckle and hanging from it was a silver sheath, obviously meant for a wand. There was a note in the box too, which Harry began to read.

Hi Mate,

I hope you like your present. You bloody well better since it cost me an arm and a leg. It's a wand sheath. I know you don't take care of your wand and the sheath has an enchantment on it that'll clean it every time you holster it. And I got the buckle specially made.

The wedding plans are going fine. Mum's getting really uptight about the littlest things just now, and Fred and George constantly hiding their wedding suits isn't helping. I swear she's going to hex them if they don't cut it out. Ginny's been missing you by the way ... .just thought I should tell you.

Hermione's already owled me to say she'll be coming to the Burrow on Tuesday for the wedding and she says I've to ask how you're doing.

Anyway, enjoy the present, mate, and I'll see you soon. Dad is arranging to get you on Tuesday morning at 8am sharp, so just make sure you're ready.

Cheers

Ron

"Excellent!" thought Harry. He would only have to spend one more night in Privet Drive before leaving it behind him forever. He put down the letter and moved onto Hermione's gift.

In genuine Hermione style, her gift was very neatly wrapped and had a silver bow tied around it. Harry was careful as he unwrapped it. He was not surprised in the slightest when he lifted a book from the wrapping paper. The book, however, caught his interest the second he read the title. 'Animagi - The Complete Guide To Becoming Anything You Want To Be' by Tyrania Transformina. He had always been amazed at the fact that Sirius and his dad had managed to become Animagi whilst still at school, and if Harry was able to transform himself into some kind of animal, it would definitely be an important tool in his quest. Images ran through his mind of what animal he'd like to become ... a lion, a unicorn, maybe even a huge dog like Sirius had been. Smiling inwardly he placed the book on his nightstand, resolving to look into the possibilities.

The untidy scrawl on the tag of the next present gave away Hagrid's present. He had given Harry a healthy supply of homemade rock cakes but also included a huge box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans and some Sugar Quills too. Harry smiled as he remembered the first time he'd ever eaten an Every Flavour Bean on the Hogwarts express on his way to school for the very first time.

An assortment of odd shaped items also lay scattered on the bed, all emblazoned with a triple W intertwined with sparks, which Harry knew signified Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes, and therefore, Fred and George's presents. The twins' package was a virtual array of pranks and other useful items. There was a pocket Sneakoscope and a selection of diversionary bombs and suchlike. He was very careful when handling this gift in case they went off unexpectedly.

Remus Lupin's gift also looked as though it would be extremely useful on his travels. It was a magically enhanced holdall with countless extra compartments, which Harry could tell would hold absolutely everything that he'd need to take with him. It reminded him slightly of Mad-Eye Moody's old trunk that Mad-Eye himself had been imprisoned in.

The last gift left on the bed was from Ginny. Harry's heart skipped a beat as he picked it up. Since he left Hogwarts for the last time as a student, Ginny was the person who was always foremost in his thoughts. The fact that they couldn't be together anymore cut into him like a knife. The last few weeks at Hogwarts with her had been almost surreal. He hadn't realised that he could be so happy just being plain simple Harry with her, instead of the "Chosen One" that everyone else expected of him. She hadn't protested when he told her it was over, she hadn't cried; she had understood his reasons, the way he knew that she would always be able to understand.

Lifting the small box almost reverently, he took of the lid and lifted out a piece of shining silver jewellery. It was a rope style chain and it had a small medallion on it which looked like a coin. There was a note inside the box too, which said simply, "For luck." Harry took the fake Horcrux locket from his pocket, where he always kept it and attached it to the chain too and slipped it over his head. "Thanks, Gin, I'll need it."

"Potter. Get down here, boy!" Uncle Vernon's voice boomed from the kitchen. The Dursleys were clearly getting anxious to be off as soon as possible. Since Harry had returned from school with a letter from Professor McGonagall explaining what had happened during term, they seemed to think that having Harry live with them definitely wasn't in their best interests. The day after Harry's arrival Uncle Vernon had gone straight to the travel agents and booked one-way tickets to France for Aunt Petunia, Dudley and himself.

Harry didn't care where they went anyway. His plans didn't include staying at Privet Drive any longer than he needed to. He had already decided on visiting the Burrow for Bill and Fleur's wedding, and then going back to Godric's Hollow, where he had lived for one year with his mum and dad before Voldemort came calling at the door. For Harry, everything started from there and a curious feeling had been growing in him that to be able to move any further down the road to defeating Voldemort, he would have to go back to his roots.

He quickly tidied his presents away and scattered out some owl treats for Hedwig, who nibbled his finger affectionately. It was with a strange feeling that Harry then trudged downstairs and straight into the kitchen to face the Dursleys; the house was almost bare, with all the furniture having already been packed into the removal's van the day before. All of Aunt Petunia's crockery was gone, and Dudley's old computers had been thrown into the garbage. The Dursleys were all waiting for him, with the last of their luggage, when he walked into the barren kitchen.

"You bellowed for me?" asked Harry sardonically. Gone were the days that he would bite his tongue and pander to the wrath of the huge figure of Vernon Dursley, who was pacing the kitchen, obviously gearing himself up for something.

"We've not left yet, Potter, so watch your manners!" seethed Uncle Vernon. But he didn't dare say anything more galling as he eyed Harry casually spinning his wand between his fingers. "Our car to the airport should be here by seven o'clock and then that's it. We're rid of you for good!" He was almost beaming as he pronounced their departure.

"Don't be too upset, Vernon," said Harry dryly. Personally he couldn't wait to be rid of the Dursleys, having been despised by them since landing on their doorstep at the age of one.

"All that's left is to leave the house keys with you," he continued, deliberately ignoring Harry's sarcasm and handing him the keys. "The estate agent will be here first thing tomorrow morning to collect them anyway. You had better not manage to wreck the place before then!" Vernon was now working up a head of steam and his plump cheeks were turning cherry red. "As for you, boy, I don't care where you end up. You've been nothing but a burden on this family for sixteen years, and I'm glad that we're not putting up with it anymore. Just be sure you clear off good and quick." Aunt Petunia and Dudley looked proud of what was being proclaimed as both of them stood behind Uncle Vernon with smug looks on their faces.

Bored as he was, Harry yawned right in the middle of this tirade, which sent Vernon Dursley mad. "You freak! You're just like your mother and father!" he shrieked. At this point Harry's entire body tensed and Uncle Vernon realised he had went too far. The eldest Dursley backed away from the young wizard whose astonishingly green eyes were now boring into him.

"I'm going to take that as a compliment ... this time, Dursley," said Harry in a barely audible whisper, which carried more of a threat in it than if he had shouted at the top of his lungs. "But if you ever mention my mum or dad again, I swear you'll regret it. Do you understand me?" He was staring, unblinking, straight into his uncle's eyes, which were watering profusely with panic. There was no response.

Harry took a step forward. "I said ... do you understand me?" he asked again in the same menacing whisper. He was less than a foot from his cowering uncle now. A whimper and a nod was all the agreement that Vernon Dursley could muster. He scurried around Harry with his family snapping at his heels, leaving Harry alone in the kitchen. Harry took a deep breath to calm himself down, and then headed back up to his room to wait for the Dursleys to leave.

****

It was an early start the next morning, so he decided it would probably be best to start packing his things. This would be a lot less involved than in previous years, considering the fact he wasn't going back to school. There were no heavy school books or potion ingredients to pack, and with Lupin's accommodating new holdall, everything he needed to take seemed to fit perfectly. His advanced spell books, including the Defence books given to him by Sirius and Remus on a previous birthday and Hermione's Animagi book, his invisibility cloak, all of Fred and George's innovative gadgets, and most importantly his Firebolt all got packed away, along with his Muggle clothes and wizarding robes.

He was just about finished when there was a small tap at the door. Harry was surprised that any of the Dursleys had anything more to say to him at all, but he tossed the last book into the holdall and answered the knock.

"Yes, Aunt Petunia?" he asked emotionlessly, when he saw it was his Aunt who was standing at the door with a box in her hand.

Petunia Dursley looked at him with a queer expression on her face then handed him the box.

"What's this?" asked Harry quizzically.

"This is the last time I expect to see you, so I thought you should have these.... I have no use for them. She sent them. Your eyes... you have her eyes..." she answered, completely stunning Harry who had never heard his Aunt talk about her sister apart from to berate her. And with that she turned on her heels and headed downstairs.

Sure enough, when Harry looked into the box there were a number of letters all addressed to Privet Drive. And one piece of parchment stood out on top. Harry went back into his room and read the parchment:-

The home of James and Lily Potter is at Shundsfell Cottage, Godrics Hollow, Wales

"This is it," thought Harry. This is where it all started. He now had a destination. He carefully put the letters away in the holdall, deciding to take his time in reading them. He wondered how long his Aunt had wanted to give him these. Did she really hate him or was it just hard for her having him here after having pushed her own sister away before she died?

Looking out of his window he noticed that a car had pulled up outside the house, and the Dursleys were all piling into it without so much as a goodbye. This, however, didn't surprise Harry in the slightest, and he was actually pleased that he wouldn't ever have to see them again. Although, admittedly, there was now a part of him that wished he could have asked Petunia more.

Not having eaten all day, he was famished. There wasn't much left in the fridge though, so he had to make do with a very plain sandwich. While he was in the kitchen, he glanced out the back window and was sure he caught a glimpse of someone or something fleet into the shadows near the shrubbery. He checked the back door to make sure it was locked and tried to put it out of his mind.

He finished his meagre meal quickly and decided to have an early night. After checking all the rooms, he went back to his own bedroom and flung himself onto his bed fully clothed. The house was pitch black by this time, and the street outside was as quiet as the grave. His eyes drooped and he slowly drifted off into a fitful sleep.

It was just after midnight and Harry's eyes flickered open. Something had made a noise in the house. He was sure he heard a click of a lock as it opened. Quietly, and without breathing, he climbed out of bed with his wand in his hand and, keeping as low as he could, crept towards the window. He edged to the side of the glass and snuck a look outside. There were three hooded figures creeping in the garden, getting closer and closer to the front door. "Death Eaters..." Harry muttered. It sounded like it was the back door that had been opened though, so there must be more of them, he thought. He moved back to the bed where his holdall lay. From it, he pulled out a Blinding Banger and an Itching Bomb, thinking that he'd need some weapons if he was going to survive this.

He crept stealthily towards his bedroom door and opened it noiselessly. There was no doubt about it, there were people moving around downstairs. The house that until now had been completely and utterly safe was now being infiltrated by Death Eaters. Blood was pounding in Harry's ears as he tried to think of what to do next. Quickly and quietly, he positioned himself just inside Dudley's room and closed the door over slightly, hoping they knew which room was his and would pass this one by.

"Dolohov, I'm making my way upstairs. Cover me," a man's voice whispered from the stairs. A floorboard creaked gently, and the man stopped instantly. "Damn!" he hissed. He waited a second without breathing, and then continued upstairs.

"Keep the noise down, you fool!" snapped Dolohov in a low voice. "We want to take him without any fuss." It seemed the plan was to kidnap Harry rather than kill him. The unknown Death Eater was crossing the landing toward Harry's bedroom, passing very near where Harry was now stationed, awaiting his chance. Harry took a deep breath as he readied himself for the fight. The Death Eater was right outside his door now, reaching for the handle.

"IMPEDIMENTIA!" a voice broke out into the night. Harry took advantage of his one chance and hurtled out of his hiding place, letting fly the Itching Bomb at the Death Eater at his bedroom door. It exploded and immediately the wizard dropped his wand and began flailing around, clawing at himself. Harry turned and lobbed the Blinding Banger downstairs where he could now hear the sound of a fracas in motion.

He could hear curses being thrown around wildly as he stormed down the stairs almost in one leap, unsure of what he was about to confront. The scene was complete mayhem with at least another three Death Eaters apparently having broken in through the back door. Two of them were already lying unconscious on the floor.

"STUPEFY!" yelled Harry, as he pointed his wand at Antonin Dolohov, who promptly keeled over. The flash from Harry's diversion was dimming. Looking around he saw Professor McGonagall furiously firing hexes at a Death Eater who had presumably attempted to break in the front door. On the other side of the room Remus Lupin was dodging curses from a particularly huge Death Eater.

"EXPELLIARMUS!" Harry boomed and Remus' opponent was left wandless.

"Incarcerus!" With a flick of Lupin's wand, ropes appeared from nowhere and coiled themselves around the Death Eater completely immobilising him.

"Thank you, Harry," Lupin called. The duel that was still raging wasn't going well for the other Death Eater either. Professor McGonagall was magnificent. Curse after curse she parried and returned so quickly, Harry couldn't even make out the spells. Eventually, a well placed hex caught the Death Eater square in the chest and he dropped to the floor with a groan.

"Quickly Potter, we haven't got much time!" snapped Minerva. Her hair was strewn about and she was breathing heavily from the exertion of the duel. "No doubt they will have reinforcements any minute. Take only what you need and leave everything else," she added as she ran back into the front garden.

The whole house looked like a bomb had hit it. So much for not wrecking the place, thought Harry wryly. "Accio bag!" he shouted as he raised his wand. There was a crash from his bedroom door and his holdall flew down the stairs and straight into his hand. He looked over to Lupin who was standing guard at the kitchen. "I'm ready," he said.

Lupin started forward just as a curse was fired from the top of the stairs, narrowly missing him. The first Death Eater had apparently recovered from Harry's Itching Bomb. "Run, Harry!" shouted Remus, as he fired a return volley and dove towards the door.

Together, they burst out into the garden where the Professor was waiting, broom in hand. Lupin snatched his from the ground and Harry followed suit, pulling his from the holdall and slinging the bag round his shoulders. They all pushed off from the ground together and rose into the crisp night air with Minerva McGonagall taking point. Behind them they could hear the recovering Death Eaters shouting futile curses at them. He had finally escaped from Privet Drive forever.

As always, the exhilarating feeling of soaring through the air captivated Harry. From in front of him he heard Professor McGonagall directing them further to the West. Harry leaned into his broom a little and felt the shift of the wind. It was still the middle of the night and the half moon shone brightly in the sky. After what must have been at least a couple of hours, she started to descend and Harry followed with Remus Lupin close behind him. Now Harry could see his final destination - the Burrow.

A few minutes more flying took them right into the grounds where they landed gently a couple of hundred yards from the house. Harry immediately stowed his Firebolt back in his holdall and began to walk toward the house but was pulled back by Lupin.

"Careful, Harry, don't be so eager," he said with a gentle smile. Harry stopped in his tracks wondering what Lupin could mean. He was in the Weasleys garden, surely he was safe here? Looking around the garden it appeared deserted but then again, looks can be deceptive he thought.

Professor McGonagall stepped briskly forward with her wand raised high, muttering an incantation, which Harry could not quite make out. A few seconds later a faint shimmer ran over the house in the shape of an arc and disappeared. "Okay, Potter, follow me," she said shortly. Once they were within the garden, Harry noticed the shimmer reappearing for a second and he understood that the barriers had been re-established. "Have you been injured at all?" asked McGonagall in a firm but gentle tone as she looked him up and down.

"No, Professor, I'm fine," replied Harry. Surprised as he was, he had managed to get through the ambush without a mark on him.

"Good. Well done, Potter," she remarked. "You handled yourself very well back there." There was a twinkle in her eye that showed she had enjoyed the heat of the battle. "Remus, you are unhurt also I take it?" she said, turning to Lupin.

"Yes, Minerva, although it was a close call at the end there," he replied. "I didn't account for the Death Eater at the top of the stairs, and it nearly cost me dearly."

"Well, I'm very glad that they hadn't expected such a sprightly retaliation from Mr Potter here. It made our work all the more uncomplicated," said McGonagall as she stepped up and rapped sharply on the front door.

A few moments later shuffling could be heard from inside the house. Evidently, at least of one of the Weasleys were awake, although it was still the very early hours of the morning. Harry felt slightly abashed at having shown up on the doorstep.

"Password, please," said a voice from the other side of the door which Harry instantly recognised as Arthur Weasley. It appeared that security measures had been stepped up since Dumbledore's untimely passing.

"Nitwit, Blubber, Oddment, Tweak," was the response given by McGonagall. Harry noticed her voice waver slightly as he smiled to himself. Strangely appropriate, he thought.

The door opened and Arthur Weasley greeted them with a warm smile. "Come in, come in," he said. He was, Harry noted, fully dressed in his wizard robes and he looked very gaunt as he ushered them into the kitchen with a pat on Harry's back.

"Please help yourselves to tea and biscuits," said Mr Weasley as he flicked his wand and a teapot and small plate appeared on the table. "I've been working down here so as not to wake the family." He indicated to a large pile of papers. "Things are hectic in the department as you can understand."

"Of course, Arthur," said Remus as he sat down at the kitchen table and reached for a teacup.

"I take it that everything went ok?" asked Mr Weasley as he looked Harry up and down, assessing any potential injuries, and finding none, smiled.

"As we feared, there was an attack on the house. But fortunately, we were able to respond in kind, and escape with a modicum of hassle," said McGonagall as she glanced at the clock which showed that the Weasleys were all in bed with the exception of Bill who was currently travelling. Harry noticed that Percy's name was missing, but thought he ought not to mention it. Apparently the rift in the Weasley family was no closer to being repaired. "We thought it best to reallocate Mr Potter as quickly as possible," she finished.

"Not a problem. Molly has been anxious to have Harry stay as soon as he could anyway," replied Mr Weasley. "You know what she's like," he added with a wink at Harry to which he responded with a grin.

"Well that's settled then," said Lupin. "Unfortunately, Harry, I don't have time just now to stay and talk with you. I'm sure you understand that there is a lot going on, but I will be back very soon." He rose from the table and pulled Harry into a warm embrace. "I'm proud of the way you handled yourself tonight, and I know Dumbledore would be too."

Harry gripped him tightly in return. "Thanks for the birthday present by the way."

"I'm glad it came in useful," replied Lupin with a smile.

"Thank you for the tea, Arthur. Give Molly my best won't you," he added as he stepped towards the door. It appeared that the barriers stopped people getting in and not out as he didn't need to cast any spells as Harry saw him mount his broom out of the window and disappear into the night air.

"Well, Arthur, I should actually be getting back to Hogwarts. I don't like leaving the place for too long, and obviously we still have a lot of work ahead of us to convince the Ministry to have the school remain open," said McGonagall. Even though he wasn't planning on finishing his seventh year, Harry was still disappointed with the thought that Hogwarts might close. "I'll leave Mr Potter in your hands, and I'll be in touch soon."

"Of course, Minerva," said Mr Weasley. "Don't worry, we'll look after him as if he were one of our own," he chuckled.

"Thank you, Professor," said Harry as he shook her hand. "For everything," he added.

"Don't mention it, Potter," she said. "It's a privilege... I mean that." McGonagall bowed faintly to a slightly embarrassed Harry, and then she left by the front door like Lupin.

"Well, Harry, you should definitely get some sleep after tonight's excitement," Mr Weasley said warmly as he cleaned the table with a wave of his wand. "I'm sure Ron won't mind you bunking with him for the remainder of the night. The house is rather full again you'll understand, as the wedding is so near."

"Thanks, Mr Weasley. I'll take my stuff up just now," said Harry. Although he hadn't realised it because of everything that had happened, he was actually completely worn out and was looking forward to some rest.

"I think after everything that we've been through, it should just be Arthur from now on, don't you think?" replied Mr Weasley.

"Yeah, I guess so." Harry grinned. "Goodnight ... Arthur."

"Goodnight, Harry."